Auburn selectman not happy with slam on kids’ rink

Tuesday

Dec 11, 2012 at 6:00 AMDec 11, 2012 at 8:28 PM

One selectman said he was surprised that the Auburn Housing Authority allowed the town to maintain authority property on Pakachoag Street adjacent to the senior center for decades without claiming the land until last week, when the town tried to put up a small skating rink there.

Board member Stephen R. Simonian said at last night’s board meeting that the “small rink for residents, mostly small children,” was to have been a community project, but “after construction began, the housing authority had (an) issue and claimed it was on their land.”

He did not question that the land was found to belong to the authority, but said, “I question the manner. It’s been over 20 years Auburn has maintained that land at taxpayer expense, and the housing authority had no issues with liability until the town wanted to use the land.”

Wayne C. Page, chairman of the Council on Aging, said, “My issue was the way it was handled.” He commended the town for trying to rectify the situation, and said, “I don’t think we’ll ever be able to do this there.”

Board Chairman Doreen M. Goodrich said the housing authority was a separately elected board and encouraged residents to contact authority members if they have interest in the skating rink.

She said anyone can attend the authority’s next meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 at 200 Oxford St. North. The public meeting had been scheduled for 2:30 p.m., but was not posted in time, so it was delayed until 4:30 p.m.

Town Manager Julie A. Jacobson said the town was not aware the site was not town-owned when construction began.

“This was the best site — flat with the gazebo and benches — for an intergenerational opportunity. It was meant to be a community project, not an affront to the housing authority. We are hoping for a positive vote on Wednesday. It would be wonderful for the community.”